Shuimu's original choice did not surprise the clone.

"You know the situation. The problem now is that the results of our exploration of Lava Release have been disastrous. We have not been able to find the whereabouts of the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Lao Shi, and we are completely unable to start practicing our bloodline limit."

Earth escape and fire escape are already the two escape techniques that Mizuki is best at. It is still so difficult to synthesize the bloodline limit. Although it was expected, the result of no progress still makes him extremely disappointed.

"It looks like we can't find Lao Zi, so it's going to be difficult to figure it out on our own."

"It's not just Lao Zi who can perform Lava Escape. There's another person as well. Don't forget it..."

"There's another one?" Shuimu frowned, "You don't want me to take advantage of Heitu, do you?"

How could the granddaughter of the Tsuchikage be so easy to plot against? In a head-on confrontation, Mizuki couldn't guarantee that he could defeat Ōnoki. The power of the Dust Release - the Original Realm Stripping Technique was too great. Although he wasn't too afraid of him, it wasn't worth it to provoke Ōnoki for such a thing.

"Don't always think about fighting and killing. You are already a great master now, so you should be more reserved."

The clone looked at Shuimu's real body who was a little too excited.

"The Hidden Rock Village has suffered a great loss from the Akatsuki organization. They need too much information and things. Besides, Lava Release is not a secret. It still tests each person's aptitude. Even if you know the principle, you still can't practice it successfully, just like you!"

"Okay, I got off track. What you want to say is to use other gentle means? Exchange of interests?"

The benefits of something like Kekkei Genkai are too great, and it seems like it would cost a lot to get it, not to mention that we don't know whether the Iwagakure Village will change it or not.

Kurotoshi's Lava Release looks more like an unexpected product of the training of Kekkei-elimination - Dust Release. Lava Release is the fusion of fire and earth attribute chakra, while Dust Release is the product of the three attributes of fire, earth and wind. They seem to be somewhat related. Of course, this is just Shuimu's random guess and cannot be taken seriously.

Although there are some differences between Heitu's Lava Escape and Lao Zi's, it is indeed the same escape technique, just with different forms of expression.

The key is what price one has to pay to obtain the method of practicing Lava Escape. If it is too troublesome, then it is not worth it.

"The first priority is to find Orochimaru and get the Eight-Headed Technique. As for the Lava Release, we'll think of a way later. First, continue your own training and look for the whereabouts of Old Purple. Then, find a way to get Kurotsuchi's cells for research. If nothing works, we can talk about the deal later."

Without Lava Release, it's not like there are no alternatives. In terms of lethality, Scorch Release is not necessarily much worse than Lava Release, and other release techniques are not completely unusable. There's no need to take too much risk to add icing on the cake.

…

In the Land of Fields, the investigation mission that Might Guy led his students on has come to an end. After most of the suspicious places have been explored, not many valuable clues have been found.

No Konoha ninja dared to be careless about Orochimaru, the traitor who brought great harm to Konoha Village last year. The harm caused to the village by the traitor who had obtained the most advanced and complete inheritance of Konoha Village was extraordinary.

Originally, it would have been more appropriate to send Team 8 and Mizuki, who were better at reconnaissance, for this mission, but Team Gai was stronger and more suitable for possible brutal battles, and with Neji Hyuga's Byakugan they were not bad either; Mizuki was usually very busy, and Shino Aburame was interning in the border troops, so the team could not be assembled, so they had to replace Team Gai.

"I thought there would be fierce battles, but I didn't expect to encounter any decent challenges at all!"

As night falls, it is difficult to find a place to stay in a barren northern country like Tianzhiguo, so camping in the wild is common.

After dinner, the four members of Kaiban sat around the fire and discussed the progress of the mission.

"Lee, that's not something a ninja on a mission should say!"

Might Guy poked the fire, making it burn more vigorously.

"The most important thing for a ninja is to complete the mission. Although challenges can make people's blood boil, we should not put the cart before the horse. Youth needs drive, but we should not become a meaningless fighting maniac!"

Young ninjas always fail to understand the true meaning of this profession. Fighting is only a means, although important, but completing the commissioned mission is the top priority.

"Thank you for your advice, Teacher Kai!"

Rock Lee answered loudly, but he didn't know how much he took in. He would have to experience it slowly in the future to truly comprehend it.

Might Guy never thought that he could make his favorite disciple mature and steady with just a few words.

"This mission is almost over. We will explore the last two strongholds tomorrow. If we find nothing, we will return directly!"

There is no ninja village in the Land of Rice, and it is weak. It is just a buffer zone between the big countries. There are many ninjas coming and going from various countries. Konoha Village is generally only patrolled regularly by the border troops stationed in the north, and rarely does a large-scale investigation of this place. If Orochimaru had not set up the base of Sound Village in the Land of Rice, no one would care about this small country with little presence.

"It's my first time completing this kind of high-level mission, and it feels really tiring!"

As the mission was drawing to a close, the female ninja Tenten breathed a sigh of relief. Being able to participate in a high-level mission related to the legendary Three Ninjas at the Genin stage was already a full affirmation of their strength.

"Being a little tired is secondary. The most important thing is that it is extremely dangerous. We were lucky this time and did not encounter too many troubles! But not every high-level mission will go as smoothly as this one."

Kai seemed to have thought of something and turned to Hyuga Neji and asked.

"Ningji, this isn't your first time participating in an S-rank mission, right? If you have any experience or insights, you might want to share them with Tenten and Lee!"

"Um!"

Hyuga Neji thought back to the past.

"The last time I participated in such a dangerous mission was when I was escorting the Sand Ninja Gaara and his group under the command of Mizuki Sensei..."

"That time!" Kai had some impression, "Originally I didn't agree to let Neji participate, but Lady Tsunade repeatedly assured me, so I had to let him try. Unexpectedly, he performed very well!"

"Indeed, it is very dangerous. Even though I have become a Chunin now, if it happens again, I cannot guarantee that I can come back alive!"

"So dangerous?"

Tiantian and Xiao Li were a little curious, as the situation seemed very different from this mission.

"This time we just happened to encounter the target retreating. The last S-rank mission was really amazing. It was the first time I knew that ninjas could be that strong! High-level ninjutsu that are rarely seen in normal times were flying everywhere. Aburame Shino and I tried our best, but we could only do a little bit of auxiliary tasks with our talents. We basically couldn't help in the battle."